🌱 Voters Sue Election Officials + Patient Steals Ambulance

Hello all. I'm back with your new edition of the Atlanta Daily, fresh off the presses. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. In today's Daily, we'll cover these stories and more:

• Voters sue election officials over failure to mail absentee ballots.
• An Atlanta hospital patient hijacks an ambulance.
• Atlanta Foundation awards $1.3 million in grants.

But first, today's weather:

Remaining warm with sunshine. High: 78 Low: 49.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. Suburban Atlanta voters are taking legal action against Cobb County election officials after never receiving absentee ballots. Officials should have mailed over 1,000 absentee ballots to voters who requested them. The lawsuit asks officials to overnight the ballots to voters with an extended deadline. (GPB News)
2. A discharged patient from Emory Hospital Midtown jumped into a running ambulance while paramedics were in the hospital and drove away on Monday morning. Police caught the 33-year-old man a short time later, and he is now in custody and charged with theft, running a red light, and failure to maintain a lane. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is donating $1.3 million to 30 organizations working to advance equity in income and wealth, housing and neighborhoods, and power and leadership. Five thousand affordable housing units will be created by 2026 because of the grant, and 15 businesses received $500,000 through the Income & Wealth TogetherATL Fund. Funding will go toward paid leave for employees, investments for financial coaches, programs to help support college students, and more. (Metro Atlanta CEO)
4. Thirty-three individuals were displaced after a DeKalb County apartment caught fire, and police detained a 12-year-old boy for possibly starting it. The boy woke his mother up and told her his room was on fire. Her daughter and boyfriend had to jump out of the apartment window to escape. The residents' condition is unknown at this time, as is whether police will charge the boy. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
5. An Atlanta pastor is going viral after calling young Black men to the altar and issuing a call to action against crime and violence. The pastor, Jamal Bryant, mentioned six rappers killed over the last few months, including the most recent passing of Atlanta-based rapper Takeoff. (WSB Atlanta)

Today in and around Atlanta:

• Jump Start Fitness At City Of Sandy Springs Recreation And Parks Department (6:00 AM)
• Ride To The Polls At Conant Performing Arts Center (9:00 AM)
• American Red Cross Blood Drive At Hairston Crossing Library, Decatur (10:00 AM)
• Art Exhibit: Vietnam Black Soldiers Portrait Project At Scott Candler Library, Decatur (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Full- and part-time job opportunities are available in the Atlanta area. Available positions include call center agent, customer service liaison, product sales assistant, payroll/employee service center specialist, client service associate, and more. Click the link for more details about companies hiring in the area. (Atlanta Patch)
• Congratulations on 50 years! Nakato Japanese Restaurant gives Atlanta an authentic taste of Japan. The successful business first opened in 1972 and has since had three generations of the family run the business. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
• This weekend, a new 7,500 sq. ft. dog park will open at 10th Street Park. The park enhancement will also include a space for outdoor games and other activities. (Reporter Newspapers + Atlanta Intown)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Colony Roofers — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Election Day Vote (November 8)
• DeKalb Symphony Orchestra - "Fin de Siecle" (November 8)
• Minority Men's Health Luncheon (November 10)
• An Evening with Jimmy Broccoli (November 10)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (November 11)
• How To Become A Paid Professional Speaker Even If You Don't Know Where To Start! (November 12)
• Annual Artisan Jewelry Show & Sale by Metal Arts Guild of Georgia (November 12)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.